Time to Let Go

As we walked along the sidewalk in downtown Vancouver last month, we came upon this large artwork that had been installed right there along the walkway.  It caught my attention partly because it was unexpected, but more so for the words printed on the wall, "Time to Let Go..."  No doubt this phrase has different meanings to different people, but it has a specific meaning for me.

First, let's see what the artist says.  The sign beside the artwork reads:  "Vancouver artist Babak Golkar presents a participatory installation comprised of several large terracotta vessels designed to contain sound.  Step up and release your excess emotions!"

The phrase also reminds me of the popular song, "Let it Go," from the Disney movie Frozen.  While the general meaning of the song sung by the character Elsa is far from what I have in mind, there are a few lyrics that speak to the heart of the matter:  "The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside.  Couldn't keep it in, Heaven knows I tried.  Don't let them in, don't let them see...Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know."  These words describe inner turmoil in a person who wants desperately to be rid of that agonizing storm within, but rather than let it go, the person conceals and tries to hide what's going on inside her heart and mind.  It's hard living with a storm inside your mind, so this artist suggests you scream into one of these clay vessels and release those emotions.  If only it were that easy.

Many of us carry stuff inside that we need to let go -- like fear, anger, bitterness, unforgiving attitude, and various frustrations and insecurities.  The Lord knows that carrying around any of this stuff in our vessel has a damaging affect in our lives, that's why in Ephesians, Paul wrote:  "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" 4:31-32.

It would sure be nice if we could just walk up to one of those terracotta vessels, scream into its depths, and be rid of that stuff that's been clogging up our peace.  While such an easy fix is not likely, there is a way to Let Go.  It's called "Let Go and Let God."  Some things just don't seem possible in our own strength and indeed, sometimes they aren't, but Jesus made it clear that, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26.

God is sometimes the only one who can pry our fingers from around that ugly stuff we are holding onto and say to us, "My precious child, Time to Let Go."